Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Gigi's Chocolate Cake

Last week, Gigi from Afterthoughts posted this Chocolate Cake recipe. She's been using this recipe for over 30 years and I can see why! This cake is very simple, so moist and the taste is wonderful. I was blown away at how it came out since this was my first attempt to make a chocolate cake from scratch. Them empty cake plate the next day was proof that my family was crazy about this cake.


Try out this recipe, it is definitely a keeper.






2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup water
3 tablespoons cocoa (Gigi adds add more)
3/4 milk or buttermilk (Gigi likes buttermilk, I didn't have any and used 2%)
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs

Grease and flour your cake pan.

Mix dry ingredients and set a side

Mix wet ingredients well and add dry ingredients a little at a time until all incorporated. Bake 350* in two layer pans (I used a Bunt pan) for 40 45 minutes.






Cool completely before icing. I made a glaze out of powdered sugar, almond extract and a splash of milk.


Gigi posted the following icing recipe. I can't wait to try this cake with her icing!



Chocolate Icing -

1 stick of butter
2 Tablespoons cocoa
3 cups powder sugar
dash of vanilla


(Gigi will sometimes use a block of cream cheese and make this a chocolate cream cheese icing, either way it's yummy)







36 comments:

gigi said...

I'm so excited to know that you used 2% milk and it turned out so yummy. I'm also excited about the bunt pan. I think that is so much easier than a layer cake. It is so pretty with the white icing. So glad yall loved this cake recipe and I am so proud of you for making your first chocolate cake from scracth! See how easy :) You just really make my day dear friend.

What is up with this sweater weather???? This is Spring Break for us and we get this?? Oh well, whatever, at least the sun is shinning :)

Unknown said...

I love persuing cooking blogs and get inspired all the time. This recipe looks so good. Too bad I started my diet this week!
These cooking blogs are a great idea until I start making and eating everything I see!
Thanks for visiting my blog today.

Deb said...

Oh, this looks like another great recipe! I too, love the idea of it being baked in a bundt pan instead of layers. This I'll have to try this out this weekend.

priscilla joy said...

Looks amazing! I'd love a piece!

April said...

I think that this will be my Easter dessert! Looks yummy!

Maria said...

What a lovely cake!!

Mary Bergfeld said...

What a beautiful cake! I'll bet it was as good to eat as it is easy to look at.

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

OH man, now I am CRAVING Chocolate cake. That looks so good. I found your blog through SITS...love it!

Greg C said...

Ok I gained 5 lbs just reading this post.

jennifersusan said...

That looks so yummy! I'm gonna have to try it out!
Congrats on being a saucy blog!

Marjie said...

The kids love chocolate cake, and I have a household full coming home for Easter....maybe we need this?

Pam said...

Mmmm. My family would love this - I've never made a chocolate cake from scratch. Looks great.

Treehouse Chef said...

I love Bundt cakes. This chocolate recipe looks delicious! Lovely presentation!

tavolini said...

Cake looks excellent! At first I thought it was an angel food (my grandmother always made chocolate angel food) but its a bundt! I bet it was quite moist :)

Jennifer said...

Man oh man that looks good. I have only made 1 cake from scratch in my life! I cant wait to make your Artichoke bread, YUM

Cathy said...

This sounds like the perfect chocolate cake recipe! I am bookmarking it and cannot wait to try it!

Dewi said...

Will definitely bookmarking this, you convinced me!
Cheers,
elra

La Bella Cooks said...

This cake is definitely inspiring. How can you go wrong with a perfect chocolate cake! Another fantastic post, Katherine.

Anonymous said...

a cake with shortening! I'm guessing that made a difference? looks mighty yummy!

teresa said...

This looks like heaven! I do love a good cake!

Lynnette Labelle said...

Oh, that sure looks great. Thanks.

Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

The Blonde Duck said...

That looks divine! I need a good chocolate cake recipe. I've always used the box mixes...

pam said...

That does look like a good simple recipe.

Anonymous said...

Sounds wonderful! Easy method of putting the batter together, too, which makes it Extra Nice:) Question: did you melt the shortening and add it w/wet ingredients, or did you cut it into the dry. Or did you use oil? Inquiring minds want to know! :D

Anonymous said...

sounds delicious!!!
thecleanveggie.wordpress.com

Selba said...

I gotta try this recipe! :)

Reeni said...

That looks decadent and delicious! The cream cheese frosting sounds divine!

Tiffany said...

The glaze on that cake is gorgeous!

MaryBeth said...

Love the bunt cake..looks very VERY good!

Donna-FFW said...

MMMM.. that looks absolutely fabulous and extremely delicious!! Would love some, thank you.

Elyse said...

Wow! No wonder this cake has been Gigi's go-to. It looks stunning! So moist and chocolatey. Plus, who doesn't love a chocolate bundt?! Looks delish!

Kathy said...

That photo looks heavenly!!!! I'm bookmarking this one for sure!

Jackie @PhamFatale.com said...

oh wow it looks very moist. I love the icing oozing out on the sides. Yum!

Anonymous said...

Mrs.Katherine,I won't only say,the cake looks good,I will say as it sits on the table,it is good(partly gone).My little(Jalyn) granddaughter and I made it,about nine this morning,and its so moist,and good!! We still think about folks who went North,and I know you got friends up there!!Keep up the good work and recipes!!We did use "Buttermilk",and it was good Southern M!!S.JIM-49

Peter M said...

My complements to you and Gigi...I can always get into tha cake with dripping icing.

Varsha Vipins said...

Simples cale ever Katherine..looks soo yum..!!